Studies on Different Methods of Drying in Carnation

An experiment was carried out to study the influence of different methods of drying on dry flower quality of carnation during the year 2014 at College of Horticulture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. Flowers of two carnation cultivars viz Harvey and Gaudina with 6 cm stalk length were embedded in borax + silica gel (1:1, v/v) mixture and dried in shade (air drying), sun, hot air oven (40 ± 1°C, 45 ± 1ºC, 50 ± 1°C and 55 ± 1 ºC) and microwave oven. In total, there were fourteen treatment combinations and replicated thrice. The results indicated that among the cultivars, ‘Gaudina’ recorded maximum dry flower weight (1.51 g) and dry flower diameter (3.47 cm). Maximum percent moisture loss (76.70), minimum time for drying (60.29 h) and maximum score for color (1.85), shape (2.71), texture (2.06) and overall acceptability (2.26) was recorded with cv. Harvey. Maximum dry weight (2.19 g) and dry flower diameter (4.07 cm) and acceptable shape was recorded with hot air oven drying at 40 ± 1°C. Maximum percent moisture loss (83.50) was observed with air drying under shade and microwave oven drying took minimum time for drying (0.03 h). Highest score for color (2.20), texture (2.65), brittleness (3.40) and overall acceptability (2.11) was recorded when the flowers of carnation were dried in hot air oven at 55 ± 1°C.